Kira is a gifted teenaged threader living in a brutal society. Born with a twisted leg, she relies on her exceptional embroidery skills and the fierce protection of her late mother to survive in a village that discards the disabled. Left orphaned and vulnerable, she faces immediate threats to her life and property but demonstrates remarkable resilience. She secures a new position with the Council of Guardians to restore the historical Singer's robe.

Matt is an energetic boy from the swampy, impoverished area of the village known as the Fen. He speaks in a distinct dialect and possesses a strong instinct for nurturing others. This caring nature contrasts completely with the harshness of his upbringing and the abuse he suffers at home. He is fiercely loyal to his friends and demonstrates his devotion through daring acts of retrieval.

Vandara is a tall, muscular woman who commands fear and obedience among the village women. She bears a ragged scar from her chin to her shoulder, adding to her intimidating physical presence. She operates with cold calculation and organizes the neighborhood women to force Kira out so they can build a pen for their children and chickens.

Jamison is a literate, well-groomed member of the Council of Guardians with calm, attentive eyes. He serves as Kira's official defender. He uses his knowledge of village laws and amendments to secure her safety and her new role as Threader. He actively supervises her work on the Singer's robe, checking on her progress daily and ensuring she has the necessary supplies.

Thomas is a highly gifted woodcarver who was orphaned at a young age by a lightning strike and taken in by the Council. He lives in relative luxury within the Council Edifice, tasked with maintaining and updating the detailed carvings on the Singer's staff. He serves as a knowledgeable guide to the routines of their privileged, secluded life.

Annabella is an elderly woman who lives alone in the woods, far from the main village. She possesses vast, specialized knowledge of plants and the complex chemical processes required to create vibrant thread dyes. She serves as a strict but patient mentor, passing down her rare skills to the next generation.

Jo is a small, orphaned girl from the Fen with an extraordinarily clear, high singing voice. She is placed under the strict supervision of the Council to learn the songs of their society. Young and deeply homesick, she struggles to adapt to her new, isolated environment.

Christopher is a former village hunter who disappeared prior to his daughter's birth. Described by the villagers as a victim of the beasts that roam the forest, his absence deeply shaped his family's vulnerable position in the community. His history is frequently referenced during Kira's trial.

Katrina is Kira's recently deceased mother, a skilled threader who repaired the Singer's robe each year. She defied the strict customs of her society by refusing to abandon her disabled infant daughter, providing a foundation of love and specialized knowledge that ensures her child's survival.

Branch is a small, flea-ridden dog with a crooked, useless tail resulting from a cart accident. Matt rescued and nursed the dog back to health. Branch follows him everywhere and serves as a constant, energetic companion.

The Singer is a central figure in the village's cultural and religious life. He lives in complete seclusion. He spends his entire year rehearsing the Ruin Song, which he performs at the annual Gathering to recount the history of their civilization.

Marlena is a worker at the village weaving shed who knows Kira from her previous life. She provides information about the local children and shares gossip regarding Jo's sudden disappearance from the Fen.

Camilla is a village woman and mother of five who suffers a badly broken arm. Because she can no longer work at the loom, she faces the harsh reality of being discarded by a society that does not tolerate physical uselessness.